What's so dreamy about the Dreamliner?

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is arguably one of the most exciting planes to hit the tarmac since the Concorde. Everyone from aviation enthusiasts to design freaks can't stop talking about it. Are you a fan? Test your knowledge about Boeing's big dream.

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Question 1 of 20

Boeing introduced the Dreamliner to replace which of the following projected planes?

the Global Cruiser

the Sonic Cruiser

It was the built-for-speed Sonic Cruiser that met an untimely death when fuel prices rocketed after Sept. 11, 2001. Boeing switched to working on the Dreamliner, which was built for efficiency.

the Efficient Cruiser

Question 2 of 20

The Dreamliner was first introduced under what name?

7E7

Initially dubbed the 7E7, the Dreamliner got its current name following an online public naming contest in 2003. Boeing chose Dreamliner over close rivals eLiner, Global Cruiser and Stratoclimber.

the Global Cruiser

777

Question 3 of 20

Which airline signed on in 2004 as Boeing's launch partner for the Dreamliner?

American Airlines

United Airways

All Nippon Airways

With 55 airplanes on order, All Nippon Airways is also Boeing's biggest customer for the Dreamliner.

Question 4 of 20

The Dreamliner is distinct because it's the first aircraft to extensively use composite materials in its construction. Approximately what percentage of the plane is composite, by weight?

33 percent

50 percent

Compared to the 777, which is made up of about 12 percent composite material, the Dreamliner breaks new ground. It's 50 percent composite by weight. Boeing even used composites to build the fuselage and the wings.

70 percent

Question 5 of 20

The carbon fiber reinforced plastics used in the Dreamliner are how much stronger than steel?

2-3 times stronger

Composites are not only stronger than metal; they're also more malleable and less corrosive. This means more aerodynamic planes that require less maintenance can be built.

5-10 times stronger

20 times stronger

Question 6 of 20

How does the thermal and electrical conductivity of composites compare to metals?

Composites are more conductive than metals.

Composites are less conductive than metals.

Because composites have lower thermal and electrical conductivity than metals, Boeing had to develop an entirely different approach for managing the thermal and electrical systems on the Dreamliner.

Composites and metals are equally conductive.

Question 7 of 20

Layering composites increases the likelihood of what occuring?

peeling

bubbling

Bubbles that occur during the baking process render a fuselage completely useless; they weaken the material and compromise the fuselage's structure.

expanding

Question 8 of 20

Which of the below was key to producing large-scale composite structures like the Dreamliner's fuselage?

developing manufacturing tools

Tooling technology development for building the Dreamliner was so novel that Boeing controls the release of information on the technologies given to the media by suppliers.

sourcing enough carbon precursor material

building heating elements large enough to hold a fuselage

Question 9 of 20

Extensive use of composite materials makes the Dreamliner different from other planes in what way?

It's lighter.

Composites are much lighter than metals. In fact, the Dreamliner weighs 35 percent less than the Boeing 777.

It's faster.

It's quieter.

Question 10 of 20

The Dreamliner burns how much less fuel than other planes of the same size?

10 percent

20 percent

Because it is lighter than similarly sized planes, the Dreamliner is more fuel efficient. For example, a flight from Los Angeles to Japan costs about $12,000 less in fuel on the Dreamliner.

30 percent

Question 11 of 20

How many years did Boeing spend on design research to overhaul the Dreamliner's interior?

five

seven

10

Boeing spent a decade doing extensive passenger research to identify the emotional components of the flight experience and optimize the cabin features. As a result, the company claims to have put the magic back into flight.

Question 12 of 20

What proprietary method did Boeing develop to gain insight into passenger wants and needs?

Archetype Discovery

By using the specific questions and techniques of its Archetype Discovery method, Boeing tapped into key psychological and emotional components common to passengers.

Idealized Design

Comparative Study Design

Question 13 of 20

The Dreamliner's archways are Boeing's interpretation of the architecture found in which of the following?

churches

Archways that transition from confined vestibules to open space are meant to resonate with passengers, who are supposed to feel welcomed and invited by the church-inspired space.

bridges

castles

Question 14 of 20

What did Boeing increase in building the Dreamliner that later became a major headache for the jet maker?

design teams

engineers

outsourcing

After deciding to rely on outsourced contractors for every component of the plane, Boeing encountered delay after delay for meeting milestones during production.

Question 15 of 20

So, how late was Boeing in delivering the first Dreamliner?

two years

three years

After a patient wait of three years, All Nippon Airways took delivery of the first Dreamliner in September 2011. The plane made its first commercial flight on Oct. 26, 2011.

four years

Question 16 of 20

Who made the engines for the Dreamliner?

General Electric

Rolls-Royce

both of the above

The engines for the Dreamliner use advanced technology made by Rolls-Royce and General Electric to save fuel and run more quietly.

Question 17 of 20

Which of the following is NOT true about the windows on the Dreamliner?

They have colored glass.

The windows are so big on the Dreamliner that even people with seats in the middle of the plane can catch a glimpse of the world passing by. If too much light is streaming in, passengers can touch the windows to darken them with electronic tinting. The windows don't, however, have colored glass.

They're 30 percent larger than the windows on similarly sized planes.

They have fancy electronic tinting.

Question 18 of 20

The LED lighting on the Dreamliner has how many color combinations?

128

The 128 nifty combos of Dreamliner's LED lighting can replicate clouds and sky and even simulate an entire day, from dawn to dusk.

118

18

Question 19 of 20

How much does a Dreamliner cost, on average?

$102 million

$202 million

At $202 million each, the Dreamliner isn't cheap. However, airlines will enjoy significant savings on fuel due to the super-efficient airplane.

$302 million

Question 20 of 20

As more airlines acquire the Dreamliner, what's expected to happen?

Passenger ticket prices will decrease.

fewer nonstop flights between more cities

more nonstop flights between more cities

The efficient, long-range Dreamliner will make it economically possible for airlines to connect more cities using nonstop flights.